Welcome to the online home of Audra Jennings, a book publicist and crafter. Here I share about both. I hope you'll find books you'll want to read and crafts you will want to order. I live a rather boring, single life. At times I would like to think I am humorous. The kids I teach in Bible class tend to think so. I also blog about current seasons of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I don't know why, I just do.

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Friday, October 14, 2016

God’s names speak to his character

Part 2 of an Interview with Sheryl Giesbrecht,

Author of Experiencing God
Through His Names

Understanding that each of God’s names
reveals something about His character opens our spiritual eyes to see His
perfect purposes and to recognize His commitment to us. If we can grasp the
meanings of His names, we can know God more intimately. In Experiencing
God Through His Names, Sheryl Giesbrecht not only covers some of the
well-known titles, such as Father, Ancient of Days and “El Shaddai,” but some
of the lesser-used designations, including “El Bethel,” “Jehovah Sabaoth” and
“Jehovah Maozi.”

Experiencing God Through His
Names invites readers to interact with God about
the truth behind His names by studying one each day for 31 days.

Q:
Why is it so important for believers to know God’s various names?

Believers must know God’s names to understand
His character, faithfulness, love and provision better. When we grasp the
impact of God’s love and sensitivity by studying His nature in this way, we can
apply this truth to all areas of our lives — parenting, marriage, marketplace
and personal communication.

Q:
How can meditating on each of the characteristics of God deepen a believer’s
walk with Him?

A believer’s walk with God is strengthened by
meditating on God’s characteristics because God wants us to know Him better. God does not hide from us, yet He waits for us to seek Him. Jeremiah 33:3
says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable
things you do not know.” At the times we do not know what to do next, if we
doubt God cares or wants to help, we must remind ourselves in prayer from Psalm
9:10: “Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord,
have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Q:
Sometimes the problems of life seem bigger than we can handle, and we can’t see
a solution. How can believers put these “giants” into perspective?

In our study of God by examining His names, we
are exposed to a personal view of God as we get acquainted with Him. This brings
us to a close encounter of a sacred kind with Him as we never have experienced before.
A few examples are:

He is our “Elohim” (Creator). God made
man and woman in His image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm
139:14).

He is “Jehovah Sabaoth” (the Lord of
Heaven’s armies). As a victorious warrior and leader of the heavenly host, He
is a sure victor to win the battles raging in our lives (I Samuel 17:45).

He is the King, “Jehovah Hamelech,”
righteous ruler over all mankind. Even in situations that seem chaotic, His
plan is fulfilled as we look forward to His coming kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4).

God is greater than our problems. We can
remind ourselves of this when we affirm God’s supremacy, authority and power.
We commit ourselves to surrender our issues to His will be done. Our “giants”
then take their proper place, minimized to manageable proportions under the
shadow of God’s presence, power and purpose.

Q:
One of the names you focus on is “Jehovah Maozi,” meaning rock or fortress. How
has God been a very real fortress for you during difficult circumstances?

Once a stage four cancer patient, after six
months I was finally finished with my final chemotherapy treatment. A few days
later, I entered our Sunday school class and was met with concerned friends’
unkind comments. I wanted to run away physically from the pain of their harsh words.
I thought of the name of God, “Jehovah Maozi” (Fortress), and prayed, “Help,
Lord.” I remembered a song I taught my own children: “The name of the Lord is a
strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.” “Jehovah Maozi” provided a
safe haven for me that day; I found emotional relief and spiritual strength in
the protection of His peace and comfort during my time of immediate need.

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About Me

Audra is a publicist who promotes books and writes about other people for a living. She's also a hermit who spends way too much time within the walls of her home since her office is just upstairs.

When she's not trying to get you to read a variety of books, she's probably watching too much reality TV or annoying her Facebook friends with pictures of crochet and other craft projects.

You can find Audra on her blog, posting rants about something (it's not her neighbors anymore) and other meaningless nonsense (www.audrajennings.com), or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram where she never fails to make snarky remark.

My ridiculously long FTC disclaimer

In accordance with the FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, please note that I have not received payment for any of the reviews posted on this blog.

I am employed both a freelance publicist and a publicist for a publisher and do post press releases, interviews and blog tours for the books and/or products I represent. However, I post on my blog by choice.

When I do post reviews for books that I have been sent review copies of by publishers, I will note that on posts.

On occasion, I also buy books and read and review them for enjoyment too.